A stander-by may sometimes, perhaps, see more of the game than he that plays it. — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Every day is an opportunity to make a new happy ending. May you live all the days of your life. — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Careful observers may foretell the hour (By sure prognostics) when to dread a show'r. While rain depends, the pensive cat gives o'er… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps and hornets break through. — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
In all assemblies, though you wedge them ever so close, we may observe this peculiar property, that over their heads there is… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
When you set about your composing, it may be necessary for your ease, and better distillation of wit, to put on your… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Wisdom is a fox who, after long hunting, will at last cost you the pains to dig out; it is a cheese,… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Lose no time to contradict her, Nor endeavor to convict her; Only take this rule along, Always to advise her wrong, And… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
I have now lost my barrier between me and death; God grant I may live to be as well prepared for it,… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
A footman may swear; but he cannot swear like a lord. He can swear as often: but can he swear with equal… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Whoe'er excels in what we prize, Appears a hero in our eyes; Each girl, when pleased with what is taught, Will have… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
The tiny Lilliputians surmise that Gulliver's watch may be his god, because it is that which, he admits, he seldom does anything… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
It may pass for a maxim in State, that the administration cannot be placed in too few hands, nor the legislature in… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
It is a maxim among these lawyers, that whatever hath been done before, may legally be done again: and therefore they take… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Conscience signifies that knowledge which a man hath of his own thoughts and actions; and because, if a man judgeth fairly of… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
The motives of the best actions will not bear too strict an inquiry. It is allowed that the cause of most actions,… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Time is painted with a lock before, and bald behind, signifying thereby that we must take time by the forelock; for, when it is… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
“He said, he knew no reason why those who entertain opinions prejudicial to the public should be obliged to change, or should not be… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
I with borrow'd silver shine, What you see is none of mine. First I show you but a quarter, Like the bow that guards… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed. — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
The best Maxim I know in this life is, to drink your Coffee when you can, and when you cannot, to be easy without… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
A forward critic often dupes us With sham quotations peri hupsos, And if we have not read Longinus, Will magisterially outshine us. Then, lest… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Ale is meat, drink and cloth; it will make a cat speak and a wise man dumb. — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
All fits of pleasure are balanced by an equal degree of pain or languor; it is like spending this year part of the next… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
Satire is a sort of glass wherein beholders do generally discover everybody’s face but their own; which is the chief reason for that kind… — Jonathan Swift Copy Share Image
